Qualifications

Musical qualifications in the UK have traditionally been awarded by Universities on the one hand and the leading Music Colleges on the other.

There are several different types. The Universities have tended to be more concerned with the academic side of music awarding degrees, such as BA and BMus, whilst the colleges have dealt with the more practical side, often awarding diplomas, such as GRSM and ARCM, though there are also plenty of exceptions to both these generalisations.

Peter Lynch has nine professional qualifications: three degrees and six diplomas. He is also a member of Mensa.

ARCM
Associate of the Royal College of Music

A Teaching Diploma awarded as an internal student of the Royal College of Music. Varied requirements, such as performance, scales, sight reading and viva voce on repertoire and teaching matters.

FLCM
Fellow of the London College of Music

A Performance Diploma awarded as an external student by a recital of music from varying periods.

GRSM
Graduate of the Royal Scools of Music

Awarded after three years continuous assessment, written and performing examinations at the Royal College of Music. It included flute, piano, theory, harmony & counterpoint, history, conducting and other elements.

LTCL
Licentiate of Trinity College London

A Teaching Diploma awarded as an external student. A practical exam consisting of three pieces, sight reading, scales & arpeggios and a viva. There was a separate written paper on the principles of teaching.

LGSM
Licentiate of the Guildhall School of Music

A Teaching Diploma awarded as an external student, with a separate aural test section. Also sections on scales, arpeggios, sight reading and general questions.

WHO’S WHO
International Who’s Who in Music.

Awarded by the International Biographical Centre for “Distinguished Services to Music”.

MA
Master of Arts in Musical Performance from the University of York.

Awarded after one year of full time study, whilst also working. It involved recitals, submitting papers and a thesis.

BA
Bachelor of Arts from the Open University.

Awarded after a some years part time study. It involved several disciplines, namely Music Theory, History, History of Art, Cultural History, Computer Science and Philosophy.

MENSA
The High IQ Society

Membership is awarded after a timed, written intelligence test.

DIPLOMA IN MEDIA COMPOSITION
The Film Music Institute of Los Angeles and Music for the Media London

Awarded after two years of continuous assessment and the submission of ten compositions and recordings. It involved depicting mood and emotion, writing to picture and showreel production.